The concept of self-control as applied to dogs is an interesting one indeed. How can an animal that is only out to get what he wants NOW capable of making decisions to delay his impulses until given permission by the owner? That seems like some magic stuff right there! Heck, most people don’t even have good self-control. That’s why we cannot have potato chips in my house!
However, by applying the zen concept that “to get what you want you must give it up” all sorts of amazing feats of impulse control are possible for our dogs. We can teach them that it is in their best interest to delay gratification and wait for us to tell them when it’s okay to take what they want. The key is to do this in a systematic manner and to keep frustration as low as possible during the training process.
You might think “my dog would NEVER leave an unattended treat alone!” With the right approach it is definitely possible. There are quite a few advantages to teaching this zen concept as a foundation for future work. Your dog will learn that you are an important part of the reinforcement process; which makes listening to you a higher priority for him. A dog that understands zen allows you to use loose food in training as a focal point and distraction, which can make for smoother techniques and mechanics. And a zen dog is a thinking dog rather than a reacting one. He takes a second to consider his alternatives and make good choices.
In this webinar Deb Jones, PhD, will introduce the zen concept along with a variety of exercises to introduce that will encourage your dog to become more thoughtful and less reactive around food and toys.
Presenter: Deb Jones, PhD
Note: This webinar is back by popular demand. Please check your webinar library before purchasing.
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